Our Instructors at Credo

Michael Carroll

Writer, lecturer and artist Michael Carroll has over thirty books in print. He is a science journalist, novelist, and—collaborating with his wife—children’s author. His fourth grown-up novel, a science adventure called Plato's Labyrinth: Dinosaurs, Ancient Greeks and Time Travelers, was released in January of 2022 through Springer, and his latest non-fiction science book, Smithsonian’s Envisioning Exoplanets, came out in November of 2021. Carroll is a Fellow and founding member of the International Association for the Astronomical Arts, and recipient of the Lucien Rudaux award for lifetime achievement in the astronomical arts. One of his paintings is on the surface of Mars—in digital form—aboard the Phoenix lander. He likes orange marshmallow circus peanuts, which have undoubtedly been outlawed by the nutritional councils of several countries. Mr. C tries to infuse his work with one of his life verses: "The heavens declare the glory of God."

 

 

Candace Dixon

Candace has been teaching math and science for many years in the Denver area; serving in public, Catholic, and Christian schools as well as various homeschool organizations. She also taught Human Anatomy and Physiology at Arapahoe Community College for almost ten years. About thirty years ago the Lord instilled in her a passion for Creation Science. She has studied at the Institute for Creation Research (when it was near San Diego, CA) and is an active member of Rocky Mountain Creation Fellowship. When their time permits, she and her husband also attend the monthly meetings of Denver Society of Creation, Pikes Peak Creation Fellowship, and Northeast Colorado Creation Group.

God’s creation is an awesome and magnificent reflection of who He is. Candace desires her students to learn to love science as they study it from a Christian world view. Students need to learn how to distinguish “good science” from “bad science”. We all must learn the truth in order to discern the lies of the world regarding scientific origins, issues of life and death, and the supposed advances of science (i.e. stem cells and genetic engineering). We must decide whether to rely on God’s Word or human reasoning.

Candace and her husband Ken have been married over 50 years and have 2 grown sons. Their elder son and his wife live in Montrose, CO and have a grown son and twelve year old daughter. Their younger son and his wife are missionaries in Costa Rica and have 2 daughters (ages 19 and 13) and one son (age 17). Grandchildren are truly a blessing and delight from the Lord.

 

 

Janean Fischer

Janean Fischer is a passionate teacher with a master’s in education from Regis University, having worked in corporate roles, Lutheran High, public schools, and as a homeschool mom. Now at Credo Academy, she teaches U.S. History to middle and high school students, as well as in-depth studies of classic literature. 

Married to Jeff for over 30 years, she enjoys life with her family. Additionally, as a dedicated swim mom during the summer months, she actively supports her son’s swimming activities, balancing her educational and family commitments.

Guided by Charlotte Mason’s philosophy—“Education is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life”—Janean nurtures students through diverse learning styles, hands-on activities, and lively discussions, with the Holy Spirit as her guide.

 

 

Patrick Fischer

Patrick Fischer, a dual-enrollment student with a homeschooling background, has been an active member of the Credo community for over five years. He coaches his local summer swim team, demonstrating leadership and community involvement. Passionate about Graphic Design and Photoshop, he applies these skills to create visually appealing personal artwork and professional classwork presentations. Excited to give back to the community that has given him so many blessings in his life, Patrick is eager to contribute his talents and enthusiasm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allison Forney

Allison Forney is a graduate of Credo Academy which she attended as a student for ten years. She enjoys being involved in the Credo community and looks forward to walking alongside students while teaching. Allison has a passion for dance and especially loves teaching different styles to her students. She is currently teaching at CMA School of Dance, and Joyful Soles Dance studio. Her love for dance started at the age of three and she has taken a variety of styles over the years. Allison believes that dance is a form of creative expression and can also be used as a way to worship the Lord. She is one of four children and lives with her family in the foothills of Sedalia. Other than dancing Allison enjoys spending time with her friends and family, playing with her two Bernese-mountain dogs, the outdoors, reading, baking, and working out. Allison finds that through teaching dance she is able to see students express themselves and loves to encourage them to grow in their relationships with Christ.

 

 

 

 

Mary Langewisch

Mary Langewisch has been an artist all her life. Born and raised in Colorado, she is inspired by the light, colors, and textures in nature. To her, art is meant to be beautiful and leave an impression in your mind, much like nature does. Fragile Glory Impressions (FGI) is the name of her Art Studio where she teaches art workshops, paints, and offers online art instruction. FGI's missions is to empower you to reach your artistic potential and inspiring you to follow your artistic voice. Her mission as an artist is to create beauty and also to teach it to others. As a Homeschool and Credo Graduate herself, Mary has loved teaching art at Credo for the past 17 years. She continues to run her art business and is a wife and a mother. You can find Mary and all things FGI at FragileGloryImpressions.com and on social media.

 

 

 

 

 

Gabriela Lawson

Profe Gaby grew up in a bilingual, English and Spanish-speaking family. Having grown up in a multi-generational household, she remembers speaking Spanish and teaching some English to her beloved "abuelita." Gaby has been teaching Spanish for more than 10 years in private school and homeschool group settings along with offering private lessons both in-person and online. She thinks that it is important to teach both Latin American culture and Spanish together to better understand the language and its nuances. Gaby previously taught Spanish at Credo for a few years and is looking forward to seeing some familiar faces along with meeting new students and their families.

Gaby has been married to Michael for 17 years, and they homeschool their two children. She has an M.A. in Biblical Studies - New Testament from Denver Seminary and is a real estate agent. Her family likes to travel to different states and go to games at MLB stadiums. In addition to learning other languages, Gaby enjoys helping at her church and AWANA, crocheting, and sipping on a cup of tea while chatting with a friend or reading a book.

 

 

Sonya Lucia

Sonya Lucia has been a homeschool mom since her first child entered preschool in 2004. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX, and worked as a graphic designer in Christian ministry before marrying an Air Force officer and starting a family. She’s taught science, literature and art history to students ranging from elementary grades to high school. Sonya enjoys introducing students to classic literature, and works to creatively engage students in both discussion and projects to enhance learning. Her son is now a college graduate with plans for a Master's degree; she has two daughters in college, one son in Christian high school, and her youngest daughter, Clara, attends Credo. This will be her sixth year teaching at Credo.

 

 

 

 

 

Bill Maxwell

Acoustic guitarist and songwriter Bill Maxwell started playing the guitar at eight years old. After seeing two friends win a talent competition at school, the idea of playing guitar captured his imagination. His dad taught him a few chords to “She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round The Mountain”, and the journey began. Bill organized and played in local bands and high school jazz ensembles and combos as a teenager. By the mid-seventies, he had experienced the local club scene in Houston as a solo artist and bass player in a contemporary jazz band. In 1978, life and music took on new meaning for Bill. Shortly after moving to Colorado, he believed in Christ as his Savior and Lord. His music and performance goals shifted to include more songwriting and acoustic work in local churches. He led worship with his guitar in numerous public venues, regularly in front of audiences of more than 2,000. Since 1980, Bill has used his guitar to help build music appreciation through teaching, playing, and singing. Today, he performs weekly with acoustic, electric, and bass guitars (playing in front of people is one of the keys to becoming a better musician). Also, his passion for songwriting has allowed him to hear his songs recorded and performed internationally.

Bill has over forty years of guitar playing experience, mixed with twenty years of teaching. Even though music theory concepts are the same for all instruments, its application on a guitar fretboard provides some unique and exciting challenges. Bill believes that the best players are the best students; he’s constantly searching for ways to apply new concepts personally and present these to an aspiring student, regardless of age.

 

 

Amanda Miller

Amanda has been teaching most of her life. She began giving horseback riding lessons and training horses when she was 16 with the assistance of another trainer. By 19 she had several students of her own whom she considered to be “her kids”. She finds joy in watching the “light bulb” come on, whether it is children, horses, dogs, you name it. She consistently volunteers working with youth through 4H, Awana, American Heritage Girls and coaching Volleyball. Her interests include gardening, canning, scrapbooking, horses, growing and hybridizing iris and precept bible studies. She’s been happily married to her husband, Jeremy for 18 years. Since God blessed her to be a mother, she has homeschooled her three girls. Amanda says, “It has its challenges but the joy and satisfaction more than outweighs them. What a privilege to train our children in the way that they should go.”

 

 

 

 

 

Sophia Miller

Sophia Miller is a homeschooled graduate who attended Credo as a student and has come back for more! Inspired by her previous teachers and mentors, she discovered her love for teaching during her senior year while teaching the American Sign Language course. Now she is looking to expand her repertoire and give back to the comunity that helped shape her into the young woman that she is.

Sophia is passionate about storytelling (by any medium available to her) and serving the Lord with her life. She finds an immense amount of joy in sharing knowledge with her students and learning alongside them. She quickly discovered that a good teacher doesn't have to know all the answers; a good teacher will guide her students in knowing how to learn. Sophia's hope is that she can shine the love of Christ into her students' lives and give them a sense of the joy of learning as they explore and grow together.

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

 

 

Karena Moss

Karena Moss has been homeschooling her four children for 16 years which means she has read more books out loud than most audiobook narrators and survived enough teenage essays to earn an honorary doctorate in English. She teaches with the intent of helping students explore big ideas, sharpen their writing, and even dip their toes into the world of business.

An author, business owner, and self-proclaimed homeschool ninja, Karena believes education should be challenging, creative, and maybe even a little fun. Her goal? To help students think for themselves, write like they mean it, and start seeing the world (and their future) through a bigger lens.

When she’s not teaching, Karena can be found running (for fun, not from her kids), lifting weights, building businesses, reading, working on her next book project, or plotting her next beach vacation.

 

 

 

 

Joan Twedell

In over 49 years of experience in teaching, arranging, and performing, I have never stopped growing in my love and passion for the performing arts. Growing up in Ottumwa, IA, I began my study of music at the age of 7. Unfortunately, like many young pianists, I did not always love to practice, and I had to be pushed and spurred on by my music teachers and, daily, my mother. As I began to develop as a musician, I discovered a natural gift that pushed me to work harder and achieve higher playing levels. I found excitement in accompanying my high school and church choirs. Going into college I knew that all I wanted to study was music. It was there that my skills as a teacher, arranger, and performing soared. I traveled on summer musical teams for two years, playing the piano for the singers and in some cases singing in ensembles.

Since my college days I have continued to pursue a career as a musician. God has given me a passion and desire to influence others with my gift. I find joy in seeing my students develop their love of music and skills. I love all ages of students and find it gratifying to see older beginners pursue a love they were never able to develop as a younger person.

I believe in teaching theory, correct technique, and many genres of music to develop each student as the unique musician that they are. I teach from many different methods to cater to each individual, as I believe all have different styles of learning.

As a performer I have accompanied many musicals, including Beauty and the Beast, The Music Man, Sound of Music, The King and I, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady, Brigadoon, and Bye, Bye, Birdie. I also perform as a soloist for holiday parties, church functions, open houses, weddings, funerals, and many other venues. I have a knack for improvisation and playing by ear, which helps me in my more relaxed performances and hymn playing.

As the great Beethoven once said, "Music can change the world," and it has already changed mine. I seek to instill my love and passion of music to all those I meet, study with, and teach so they too may be changed by the world of music.